A Federal High Court in Kano has set aside all actions by the Kano State government leading to the dethronement of the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and dissolution of four new emirate councils.
The court also ordered a return to status quo by all parties.
Bayero was dethroned about a month ago, after the Kano State House of Assembly repealed the law setting up the new emirates.
Consequently, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf implemented it by dethroning Bayero as Emir of Kano and reinstating the former Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was dethroned by former governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2020.
The governor also reversed the creation of four emirates, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya, and sacked the Emirs appointed by his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
However, a kingmaker in the former Kano emirate, Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, had approached the court to challenge the propriety of the law and asked the court, through his counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), to declare it null and void.
In a ruling on Thursday, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman set aside the action of Kano government, ordering parties to maintain status quo.
The judge held that the defendants were aware of the interim order granted by the court but chose to ignore it and went ahead with implementation of the law.
Liman also held that he would assume his coercive powers to enforce compliance with his order.
However, the judge transferred the case to Justice Simon Amobeda for continuation, in view of his elevation to the Court of Appeal.
